2015 Ram 3500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
136 owner complaints analyzed
14 distinct recall campaigns
28,700 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2015 model year. Data snapshot: . 102 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 31 of 136 complaints (22.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 31 | 22.8% |
| Steering behavior | 22 | 16.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 11 | 8.1% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 2.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 2.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 1.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 31 |
| Engine | 27 |
| Service Brakes | 24 |
| Steering | 21 |
| Electrical System | 19 |
| Suspension | 16 |
| Unknown Or Other | 14 |
| Wheels | 13 |
Power Train: 31; Engine: 27; Service Brakes: 24; Steering: 21; Electrical System: 19; Suspension: 16; Unknown Or Other: 14; Wheels: 13
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 45 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 18 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 19 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 9 |
| 150,000 and above | 7 |
Under 25,000: 45; 25,000 to 49,999: 18; 50,000 to 74,999: 19; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 9; 150,000 and above: 7
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (45). 34 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 14 |
| 2016 | 18 |
| 2017 | 21 |
| 2018 | 21 |
| 2019 | 18 |
| 2020 | 18 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 5 |
2015: 14; 2016: 18; 2017: 21; 2018: 21; 2019: 18; 2020: 18; 2021: 4; 2022: 6; 2023: 3; 2024: 7; 2025: 1; 2026: 5
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 31 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 22 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 11 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10746286 · 2015-08-05 (August 5, 2015)
THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE THERE IS NO METHOD TO KNOW, IN ADVANCE, THE FACTORY INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE MODULE (ITBM) WILL FAIL TO PROVIDE FULL VOLTAGE TO THE ELECTRIC TRAILER BRAKES I ATTACHED MY 13,000 POUND FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER TO MY TRUCK AND FOLLOWING THE ITBM SETUP STEPS IN THE OWNERS' MANUAL, THE RESULTS WERE AS EXPECTED. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS OR INDICATORS SIGNALING AN ISSUE WITH THE ITBM'S ABILITY TO APPLY THE TRAILER'S ELECTRIC BRAKES. ON TYPICAL CITY/URBAN DRIVING THE BRAKING EFFORT FROM THE TRAILER WAS AS…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,234 miles reported. Look up ODI 10746286 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10749880 · 2015-08-19 (August 19, 2015)
THE INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL IN THE 2015 RAM TRUCKS DOES NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE BRAKE CONTROL TO THE TRAILER BRAKES. I TRADED IN A 2013 RAM 3500 AND THE INTEGRATED CONTROLLER ALLOWED ME TO SET UP THE BRAKES SO I COULD LOCK THE TIRES UP, THEN I WOULD BACK THE VOLTAGE DOWN SLIGHTLY FROM THERE TO GET MAXIMUM BRAKING PERFORMANCE FROM THE TRAILER. WITH THE NEW TRUCK, THERE WASN'T THE ABILITY TO GET MUCH BRAKING AT ALL. DEALERS ARE TELLING THOSE WITH THE SAME TRUCKS, THAT IT IS WORKING AS DESIGNED AND THERE ISN'T A PROBLEM. MONDAY, AUGUST 1…
Owner-reported narrative. 405 miles reported. Look up ODI 10749880 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10762090 · 2015-09-08 (September 8, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 DODGE RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND HAULING A TRAILER, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO TURN INDEPENDENTLY COUNTER CLOCKWISE AND BLOCKED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER, LOOKED UNDERNEATH, AND NOTICED SOME BOLTS WERE LOOSE FROM THE STEERING CABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BOLTS WERE TIGHTENED MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,779....UPDATED 12/29/15 *BF THE CONS…
Owner-reported narrative. 22,779 miles reported. Look up ODI 10762090 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10789752 · 2015-11-11 (November 11, 2015)
DRAG LINK ADJUSTMENTS NUTS ARE NOT TIGHT. THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE TORQUED TO AROUND 120 FT-LBS. YOU CAN REACH UP AND LOOSEN THEM WITH YOUR HAND. THIS HAS AFFECTED A NUMBER OF TRUCKS IN DIFFERENT STATES THE PROBLEM IS OBVIOUSLY AT THE MANUFACTURER. LINK TO OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. HTTP://WWW.CUMMINSFORUM.COM/FORUM/2013-GENERAL-DISCUSSION/1813273-WARNING-CHECK-YOUR-STEERING-NOW.HTML THE PITMAN ARM NUT IS ALSO NOT TORQUES TO SPEC AND VERY LOOSE. ANYONE OF THESE COULD BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10789752 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10789751 · 2015-11-11 (November 11, 2015)
THE TRANSMISSION IS SEVERELY LIMITED BY TORQUE MANAGEMENT. IF YOU STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL THE TRUCK BARELY MOVES. IT MOVES AT ITS OWN PACE INSTEAD OF BEING UNDER YOUR CONTROL. THIS CAN CREATES SOME VERY DANGEROUS MERGING SITUATIONS WHERE YOU ARE TRYING TO MERGE WITH TRAFFIC AND THE TRUCK DECIDES IT WON'T MOVE. YOU END UP HALF WAY COMMITTED AND HALF WAY NOT.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10789751 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10864401 · 2016-05-11 (May 11, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD AND THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER, LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD, AND NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR BURNS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MOTOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 64,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10864401 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10930188 · 2016-12-06 (December 6, 2016)
IN JUNE 2016, TOWING A 14 FOOT LIGHT TRAILER UP SONORA PASS ON HWY 108 IN CALIFORNIA, THE TRUCK BUCKED, STUDDERED AND SHOOK IN FIRST GEAR, STALLED AND SLIPPED BACKWARD TOWARDS A 1000 FOOT CLIFF, IT THEN LUNGED INTO GEAR AND IT WAS SMOKING THE TIRES. I LET IT DO THAT TO GAIN TRACTION AND THEN SLOWLY MADE MY WAY BACK UP. I CANNOT TOW ANYTHING OUT OF FIRST GEAR WITHOUT THE BUCKING AND STUDDERS, AND LOSING FORWARD MOMENTUM, ANYWHERE. ALMOST LOST IT ALL THAT DAY INCLUDING MY LIFE AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THE ISSUE. 2 DEALERSHIPS IN 2 …
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10930188 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10991220 · 2017-05-23 (May 23, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 RAM 3500. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (COAST AUTO CENTER INC. 530 CHETCO AVE, BROOKINGS, OR 97415) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DEGRADATION OF THE SELECTIVE CATALYTIC REDUCTION SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT DODGE HAD NOT YET MANUFACTURED THE PART. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE CONTACT COULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER EVERYDAY TO HAVE IT CHECKED, BUT OFFERED NO FURTHER A…
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10991220 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10908514 · 2016-09-21 (September 21, 2016)
INTEGRAL TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER WORKS CONTRARY TO INDUSTRY STANDARD CONTROLLERS. THE FUNCTION OF THE ELECTRIC BRAKE "OVERRIDE LEVER" DOES NOT OVERRIDE CONTROLLER SETTING AND APPLY FULL POWER TO THE TRAILER BRAKES. THE INTEGRAL CONTROLLER ON THIS VEHICLE WILL ONLY SUPPLY OVERRIDE VOLTAGE PROPORTIONAL TO THE SENSITIVITY SETTING OF 0 TO 10 AND THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN STOPPED THE SENSITIVITY VARIES THE OVERRIDE VOLTAGE BETWEEN 0 TO 7 VOLTS DC. SAFETY ITEM. AT VERY SLOW SPEEDS LESS THE 10 MPH AND THE SENSITIVITY SET AT MAX 10 THE OUTPU…
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10908514 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10822459 · 2016-01-27 (January 27, 2016)
I HAVE A NEW 2015/3500 DUALLY, WITH AIR RIDE, ADVERTISED AT 30K TOWING CAPACITY, THE AIR RIDE SYSTEM DOESN'T WORK, IT HAS THE DEATH WOBBLE IN THE FRONT END, THE LIGHTS FLICKER AT NIGHT WHEN IT'S COLD, THE ROOF HAS LEAKED WATER SINCE I TOOK DELIVERY IN THE LAST WEEK OF JULY 2015, IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP MORE THAN I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT, ALMOST LOST CONTROL AT FREEWAY SPEEDS SEVERAL TIMES WHEN HITTING A BUMP, THE DEALER AND CHRYSLER SAY IT IS OVERLOADED BECAUSE I HAVE A TOOLBOX AND A FUEL TANK IN THE BACK, I HAVE WEIGHED IT MYSELF ON CERTIF…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10822459 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10954350 · 2017-02-13 (February 13, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 RAM 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE HOME AND CALLED THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED THE NEXT DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF T…
Owner-reported narrative. 23,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10954350 at NHTSA ↗